Nest No Power to RH Wire (E74 error Message )
I ran into this issue on a hot summer day when we really needed our AC to be working well. Suddenly, it stopped working and my Nest Thermostat had a message that read “E74 Wiring Report No power to RH Wire detected. Learn more at Nest.com/e74.
It
turns out this is a pretty common issue for Nest Thermostats. It can be a few
different issues, so let’s walk through the simplest and most common
troubleshooting fixes first.”
Table
of Contents
1.1 Option 1:
Check the Circuit Breaker
1.2 Option 2:
Check that the Red Wire is Connected Correctly
1.3 Option 3:
Check the Thermostat Battery
1.4 Option 4:
Condensation Overflow & Float Switch Triggered
1.5 Option 5:
Blown Fuse at HVAC Control Board
1.6 Option 6:
Replace your Air Filters
1.7 Option 7:
Failed Transformer in your Heating System
1.8 Contact a
Local HVAC Professional
Nest No Power to RH Wire
An E74 Error Message No power to RH Wire means that the Nest Thermostat does not detect power from the red RH wire. Without power, the thermostat cannot run the air conditioning, heating, or fan. You’ll need to first check the circuit breaker and confirm the wires are connected properly.
The
red RH or RC wire carries power from the HVAC system to the thermostat. One of
the other wires, typically yellow, white, or green, carries power back to the HVAC
to close the loop and starts the cooling, heating, or fan.
If
the red wire is not receiving any power from the HVAC system, it can not send
any power back to start the systems.
These
options will also work for a Nest E4 error message (1st generation Nest
Learning Thermostat) or a Nest E24 error message (2nd generation Nest Learning
Thermostat).
Option 1: Check the Circuit Breaker
Go to
your circuit breaker at the breaker box to be sure the breaker hasn’t tripped.
If
the breaker tripped, you can simply switch it back on. You might have to pull
it in the opposite direction before switching it back on.
If it
hasn’t tripped, try turning it off and on again. Sometimes, a quick reset was
all that was needed.
You
can check if this worked at the Nest Thermostat to see if it powered back up
and is now working. If not, the next easiest check is to confirm the wiring is
properly connected.
SAFETY NOTE: Always turn the power off at the breaker to ensure no power is running through the wires. The red wire is a HOT wire, meaning there is a chance of electrocution.
Option 2: Check that the Red Wire is Connected Correctly
Sometimes,
the wiring was not totally secure when installed and over time, something came
loose.
Remove
the Nest Thermostat and check the wiring. See if anything is not secure, loose,
or damaged.
Check
each wire, but pay special attention to the RH wire connection. Make sure each
wire is fully inserted and not loose.
The
connector button should be pushed down if the wires have been inserted
correctly.
To
insert the wire, press down on the connector. Again, if it was inserted
correctly, it will stay down.
If
the wiring looks good, move on to the next option.
Option 3: Check the Thermostat Battery
Depending
on your wiring setup, your Nest might run out of battery power and won’t turn
on.
If you have a wire (typically blue) connected to the C, then you don’t have to worry about this step.
Without
the C or common wire, your Nest Thermostat will eventually run out of power. It
needs to have continuous power to keep the internal battery powered
effectively.
I’ve
written about this in depth because a more common Nest Thermostat issue is
a low battery. You can follow the instructions to charge your thermostat for a
short-term fix or you can opt for one of several ways to add the C wire.
In
the long run, adding a C wire will reduce the number of issues you have with
your thermostat.
Option
4: Condensation Overflow & Float Switch Triggered
Air
conditioning units create condensation and that condensation needs to flow out
of your home. If it can’t, the system will shut off automatically to protect
itself.
Most
systems have an HVAC float switch. If there is a clog and water cannot flow
out, the float switch will trigger, turning the system off.
It
works exactly as it sounds. It floats and switches the system off so that there
is no overflow that leads to flooding in your home.
Step
1: At the air handler, look for the float switch. If you find enough water
that has made it float, you likely have a clog.
Step
2: Check the drain pan. If you find water sitting in the pan, that
confirms the clog. You might need to remove a panel to see the drain pan.
Each
HVAC system is different, so it may be helpful to Google your cooling system’s
make and model if you aren’t sure what the float switch looks like.
How to remove a clog in your system:
1. Go outside to
the drainage pipe
2. Attach the end
of a dry vac or shop vac to the end of the drain pipe
3. Turn the dry
vac on and suck out anything that could be clogged in the drain lines
4. Next, go back
to the air handler unit
5. Remove any
water that overflowed into the float switch
Here’s a great video explaining how this should be part of your typical home maintenance routine.
If
your drain lines are clear and your float switch is not floating, then let’s
check to see if you have a blown fuse/
Option 5: Blown Fuse at HVAC Control Board
This
fix is a bit more complicated and a little intimidating compared to the others.
But with a little bit of help, this can actually be a really simple fix.
A
blown fuse is a common problem for many electrical issues and doesn’t have to
cost much to fix. Simply replace the fuse with one that you can buy at any local
hardware store or even Amazon.
If
your HVAC control unit fuse blows, then the system won’t have any power running
through it. That will cause the Nest E74 issue.
Here’s
a detailed video on how to replace the fuse.
Both
this fix and/or cleaning out your drainage pipe should have done the trick. If
not, there are a few other possibilities.
Option 6: Replace your Air Filters
Good airflow is essential to the function of your AC unit. Air
conditioning coils can freeze if there isn’t enough airflow, which could be the
cause of your Nest no power to RH wire.
You can check this visually at the air handler unit when you
opened it up. You should be able to see the coils and you’ll definitely see if
they are frozen.
Be sure to inspect the air handler unit for any other damage or
leaks. If you see anything, you’ll need to contact an HVAC professional.
If it looks like your coils are frozen, you’ll need to wait for
them to thaw out.
Be sure to replace the filter if it is dirty and any other filters
in your system. This needs to be done occasionally anyway.
Option 7: Failed Transformer in your Heating System
If you were trying to heat your home and your Nest Thermostat had
the no power to RH wire error message, then you could have a failed
transformer.
The video below is helpful in understanding and potentially fixing a failed
transformer.
This fix is
likely reserved for the more advanced handyman or a professional.
Contact a Local HVAC Professional
At this point, if you are unable to fix your issue, it is probably
time to call a professional. They should be able to find the root cause of the
E74 no power to RH wire issue to fix it.
Conclusion
It can be very frustrating to have a Nest Thermostat that has an
error message come across the screen. If you are facing the Nest.com/e74 no
power to RH wire or no power to RC wire, there are several fixes you can try.
1. Check the
Circuit Breaker
2. Check that the
Red Wire and the other wires are Connected Correctly
3. Check the
Thermostat Battery
4. Condensation
Overflow & Float Switch Triggered
5. Blown Fuse at
HVAC Control Board
6. Replace your
Air Filters
7.
Failed Transformer in your Heating System
If you’ve gone through all of these steps and you are still seeing
the E74 error message, then it’s time to contact a local HVAC professional.
Let us know what worked for you and thanks for reading!
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